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Kranenbrock, van, Wolfgang Bernard Horst (IR.31)

    Date of birth:
    August 11th, 1909 (Dresden/Saxonia, Germany)
    Date of death:
    March 22nd, 1986 (Erlangen/Bavaria, Germany)
    Nationality:
    German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

    Biography

    Wolfgang van Kranenbrock was born in Dresden on August 11th 1909 and was married to Maria van Kranenbrock- Rudy. They had three children. In the Thirties of the Twentieth Century he took service in the, then called, Reichswehr. At first he was placed with the 24.Infanterie-Division. With his unit he took part in the Spanish Civil War. At the beginning of the Second World War he took part in the fighting’s in Poland and in the West with the 32.Infanterie-Division. As Hauptmann and commanding officer of the1.Bataillon / Infanterie-Regiment 31 he took part in the fighting’s at the East front. In June 1942 he was involved in the capturing of the Krim and Sevastopol. On December 1st 1942 he war promoted to Major and on November 9th 1943 to Oberstleutnant. He was wounded severely several times.
    Wolfgang van Kranenbrock die don March 22nd 1986.

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    Period:
    Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
    Unit:
    24. Infanterie-Division
    Awarded on:
    June 1939
    Spanienkreuz, Bronze mit Schwertern
    Period:
    Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
    Awarded on:
    June 1939
    Medalla de la Campaña de España 1936-1939
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Unit:
    32.Infanterie-Division
    Awarded on:
    September 20th, 1939
    Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
    Awarded on:
    February 20th, 1940
    Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Unit:
    32.Infanterie-Division
    Awarded on:
    September 17th, 1940
    Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    March 21st, 1942
    in silver
    Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Hauptmann (Captain)
    Unit:
    Kdr., I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 31, 24. Infanterie-Division
    Awarded on:
    May 30th, 1942
    Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Hauptmann (Captain)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 31, 24. Infanterie-Division
    Awarded on:
    August 14th, 1942
    Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    September 5th, 1942
    Medaille
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Hauptmann (Captain)
    Unit:
    Kommandeur, I. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 31, 24. Infanterie-Division
    Awarded on:
    September 25th, 1942
    Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    November 23rd, 1942
    Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    January 16th, 1943
    Krimschild (Stiftungs ausführing)

    Sources

    • Photo 1: Familie
    • Photo: Family photo
    • - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht
      - Familyrecords

    Photo